"No one can escape."
Blinding Buddha light engulfed everything as Sengoku slammed into the ground behind Sabo and Luffy, his massive golden body radiating overwhelming pressure. His right hand rose high before crashing down with terrifying force.
"Dragon Claw."
"Gum-Gum Ape King Gun."
Sabo and Luffy turned at the same time, attacking together without hesitation.
In an instant, a violent storm erupted. The colossal Buddha palm collided with Sabo's flaming claw and Luffy's massive fist, creating a constantly detonating shockwave at the center. The surrounding earth was ripped apart and hurled outward like a meteor shower. Blood sprayed from both Sabo and Luffy as their feet sank deep into the shattered ground, their bodies trembling as they desperately resisted.
"Damn it… this is the power of legends."
"Luffy!"
Sabo's face twisted in pain as he roared, forcing even more power into his attack.
"Fly!"
Luffy roared as well, pouring everything he had into a single strike.
The golden Buddha light flared even brighter, and Sengoku was actually forced backward, stumbling step by step across the ruined ground.
Luffy flipped several times through the air before landing heavily, retreating nonstop. Sabo dug one hand into the ground to stabilize himself, leaving behind a deep crack.
"As expected, I cannot let you leave."
Sengoku's expression darkened as a sense of extreme danger rose in his heart.
These two were far too young, and their potential was terrifying. If they were allowed to survive, they would become disasters in the future.
Because of that, his killing intent surged.
He clasped his hands together, and the Buddha light rapidly ascended into the sky like a second sun, accompanied by faint, echoing chants.
The grand spectacle once again drew the attention of the entire battlefield and even the outside world. Sengoku was not just the Fleet Admiral, he was a living symbol of absolute combat power.
"Buddha's Illumination."
In the next moment, Sengoku appeared above them as if teleporting. He clenched his hands, releasing a massive golden shockwave. The surrounding space was sealed, leaving no room to escape.
"Gum-Gum Jet Culverin."
"Dragon Claw."
Luffy and Sabo showed no fear. They unleashed their strongest techniques again, slamming straight into Sengoku.
A deafening explosion followed, and all three figures were blown away. Even so, Sengoku still held the upper hand.
"How can he be this strong?"
Luffy spat out blood, his vision shaking. It felt like he was facing Garp himself.
"This is someone on the same level as the old man."
Sabo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression heavy.
At this moment, Marineford was in complete chaos.
And deep below the sea, Impel Down was also descending into hell.
Blackbeard used his status as a Shichibukai to enter the prison without resistance, releasing criminals floor by floor. In the end, he stormed through the Sixth Floor and obtained everything he wanted.
"Oh no, it's Magellan!"
"Run, Magellan is coming!"
A massive group of criminals screamed in terror, desperately fleeing.
Behind them, a deep purple Poison Dragon descended from the darkness, roaring as it devoured everything in its path. Any criminal touched by it screamed in agony before being corroded into nothing.
"Zehahaha… trouble has arrived."
Blackbeard and his crew watched as the criminals scattered, the Poison Dragon spewing venom in all directions.
"Blackbeard."
Magellan stepped forward, venom dripping from his body as he locked eyes with him. His killing intent was unmistakable.
"Poison Dragon!"
Three gigantic dragon-shaped masses of poison extended from his back. The moment someone touched them, their body would be melted away in unimaginable pain.
Swish!
A flash of sword light cut through the air. The three Poison Dragons were instantly decapitated, collapsing into pools of venom that spread toxic gas everywhere.
"Shiryu."
Magellan's face turned grim. He never expected Shiryu to betray him.
"Zehahaha, Magellan!"
Blackbeard released thick black mist and laughed wildly.
"Someone as strong as you shouldn't rot in this little prison. The outside world is your stage, join us. Let this world bow at our feet."
"Blackbeard, you and your crew will not leave here alive."
Magellan ignored the temptation. Three more Poison Dragons burst from his body, roaring as they lunged forward.
"That's truly a shame."
"Dark Hole."
Unlike before, Blackbeard did not underestimate Magellan. He immediately went all out, fully activating the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Black mist covered the sky like a massive curtain, swallowing the Poison Dragons like a tidal wave. A violent suction force erupted, and the previously unstoppable venom was completely devoured.
"How is this possible?!"
Magellan stared in disbelief as his poison was absorbed.
"Zehahaha… Magellan, this is the most vicious Devil Fruit in existence. Your Venom-Venom Fruit is strong, but against this, you only have one outcome. Defeat."
Blackbeard laughed hysterically.
At the same time, Lafitte, Shiryu, and Van Augur all attacked from a distance, launching relentless assaults at Magellan.
Not far away, sand gathered and Crocodile appeared, silently observing the battle before turning and rushing toward the Third Floor.
Along the way, he encountered Buggy, Jinbe, and others.
Yes, Jinbe was here as well.
Impel Down had completely lost control. Even Magellan alone could not suppress this chaos.
But the most terrifying moment had yet to arrive.
Golden lightning suddenly tore through the sky above Impel Down.
As the light and flames faded, Lucien descended from the air, a book floating calmly in his hand.
The First Floor had already fallen. Criminals and rioters were slaughtering the jailers in all directions.
Lucien opened the book.
Kaido, King, Queen, Jack, Ulti, Black Maria, and all members of the Beasts Pirates walked out.
Then Katakuri, Cracker, Smoothie, Snack, Daifuku, Oven, Perospero, and the entire Charlotte Family followed.
Nearly a hundred monsters emerged.
Every single one of them was either a top-tier powerhouse or a commander-level fighter.
"Turn all criminals and jailers into demons."
"Yes."
Lucien floated three feet above the ground, moving calmly toward the elevator.
"Stand still."
The moment Lucien spoke, whether they were jailers or prisoners, their bodies froze in place. Demon blood forcibly injected itself into them, twisting their flesh as they transformed into demons.
On the way to the Second Floor, Lucien encountered familiar faces.
"What the hell is going on?!"
"Beast Kaido, the Three Calamities, and the Headliners!"
"And the Sweet Commanders, the Charlotte Family!"
Buggy, Mr. 3, and the others screamed in terror as they saw the elevator open.
Crocodile stood at the front, smoking his cigar, his expression heavy.
Whoosh.
Oven and the others surged forward like a swarm of locusts, crushing everything in their path.
"Move to the sides."
Lucien placed one hand behind his back and glanced at Buggy and the rest.
Except for Crocodile and Jinbe, everyone else was instantly affected by Law Following Speech, their bodies moving uncontrollably to the sides, fear filling their eyes.
Lucien was not surprised that Crocodile and Jinbe could resist.
What surprised him was Buggy.
Buggy was completely unaffected.
That meant Buggy's strength had not surpassed Lucien's current limit. After two near-death evolutions, Lucien's true power was no longer what it used to be.
But it did not matter.
With Katakuri, King, Cracker, and the others moving, how long could Crocodile, Jinbe, and Buggy survive?
Lucien continued deeper into Impel Down, heading toward the Third Floor.
Inside the elevator, he suddenly felt two Haoshoku auras collide.
One belonged to Katakuri.
The other belonged to Buggy.
And from the intensity of it, Katakuri was not able to immediately suppress Buggy.
Buggy was no longer the useless clown from before.
He possessed Haoshoku, and his true strength was terrifying. He had simply hidden it all along.
It made perfect sense.
As apprentice crewmates on the Pirate King's ship, Red-Haired Shanks had become an Emperor.
Buggy could not possibly be truly weak.
No one becomes a member of the Pirate King's crew by accident.
If he lacked strength in one area, then his other qualities had to be monstrous.